title: Transdermal delivery of proteins.
abstract: Transdermal delivery of peptides and proteins avoids the disadvantages associated with the invasive parenteral route of administration and other alternative routes such as the pulmonary and nasal routes. Since proteins have a large size and are hydrophilic in nature, they cannot permeate passively across the skin due to the stratum corneum which allows the transport of only small lipophilic drug molecules. Enhancement techniques such as chemical enhancers, iontophoresis, microneedles, electroporation, sonophoresis, thermal ablation, laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation and noninvasive jet injectors aid in the delivery of proteins by overcoming the skin barrier in different ways. In this review, these enhancement techniques that can enable the transdermal delivery of proteins are discussed, including a discussion of mechanisms, sterility requirements, and commercial development of products. Combination of enhancement techniques may result in a synergistic effect allowing increased protein delivery and these are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Haripriya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalluri
authors.forename: Ajay K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Banga
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018274:Electroporation; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins